| 10.5.05 |
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flag day at bishan today... wasnt exactly looking forward to it... but at least it's for a good cause... and unlike the usual sign-up for flag day for CIP points thing... this was a project closer to heart... since the guy was involved in the project... and we know darn well where the money is going... to help the kids in yunnan, china... his fren and the latter's gf came along as well... and we collected a pretty decent sum... but it was interesting to observe how singaporeans react to pple selling flags too... i try to donate when i can... cause i learnt my lesson well selling flags back in sec sch... do onto others what you want others to do onto you... and walking a few streets through a number of flag sellers without donating once... was tormenting... felt so extremely guilty... i must not do that to the poor kids out in the sun like dat... at least those who bother to show a sincere smile... some of them are just doing it for the points... as in they dont even bother to open their mouths... kk... out of point... my few observations... the kinds of pple u meet... while on ur flag day mission... 1. the snake-and-ladder players... (terminology courtesy of the said fren...) the kind who avoid you by moving out of collision course... plan his/her next step according to yours... weaves effortlessly around pillars and corners... jumps into the safe sanctuary of the MRT station or shopping mall... where, FYI, flag sellers are not allowed to venture into... and if, and only IF, you manage to ambush him/her in some way... after a good choreography of intricate footwork... u would probably get a sheepish smile... or if, and only IF, you're lucky... some loose change... 2. the eyes-so-glued-to-floor-you-wonder-how-they-avoid-pillars folk... actually... their eyes are anywhere... EXCEPT in your direction... they swear by the mantra... Ignorance is not a crime... though i think its more like... Ignorance is Bliss, even if it means you have to fake it... these come in many variations... and possibilities include, *the handphone user fervently sms-ing away.... *the newspaper-in-his-face reader... *the blow-smoke-in-ur-face-to-camourflage-his-getaway smoker... *the fumble-for-ur-wallet, eyes-in-pocket... (which also gives kid false hope of getting a donation) 3. the well-dressed, seemingly more affluent class of individuals... the LV totes coupled with a "no money..." claim... granted that those might be fake... they probably are... 4. the "no small change, sorry"... i accept notes too... (observation courtesy of said fren again...) and if we can get an ATM... u can withdraw as much as you want... or if we can find a shop with Cashback... i will happily supply the surcharge for you to cash any amt you want with ur NETS... 5. the white-collared lunch crowd... bad that they come in big bunches... worse that they rush past you like you werent there... terrible that you tried to greet them and there was no form of acknowledgement... pure evil that i started cursing them with voodoo dolls when i got back... oops... 6. the mother-and-child combo... (as observed by the bf...) kids like stickers... mothers like kids happy... 'nuff said. 7. money came in faster when they see you prespiring like nobody's business... i think they must have seriously took pity on me or something... the hot weather... the black tee... the lack of ventilation... good point to note... for pple planning to venture into flag days... and contrary to popular belief... 1. schoolgoing kids can be really generous too... you just have to ask nicely... ...coz most of them EMPATHISE with your plight... even the geeks... who i so idolise right now... coz they rock! 2. angmoh doesnt = very generous... though you would think so with their expat paychecks... the bf says it might be because they arent used to the flag selling culture... well... i think i made myself clear enuff... "Morning Sir, would you like to DONATE to the project fund?" oh well... shall give them the benefit of doubt... 3. aunty-killers might not get ALL the aunties afterall... said fren got reprimanded about dyed hair... was asked to dyed back to black... in exchange for the said auntie's donation... said fren refused... auntie offered to donate tissue paper instead... it was, by far, an interesting experience... but something i dun wanna try ever again... things like this kill me... i seem extroverted... but no, i'm an introvert... i dun like talking to strangers... much less convince them with parting with their hard earned money... i'm not expecting everyone to make a 10 dollar donation when i ask them to... or even make a donation... just asking that they acknowledge my toiling under the sun... and effort to overcome my insecurities and open my mouth... with a simple reply... or better still... a heartwarming smile... the day ended ok... i escaped unscathed... the event concluded pretty nicely especially after i met... 1. a fellow first year NUS engin guy who gave me ALL his loose change... 2. a girl from Arts fac who sweetly wished the project/me "All the best!"... 3. a guy who, before passing me a namecard about recruitment for some dubious-sounding distributor job, gave me all his cash (a few coins) including a few ringgit... 4. nice kids who not only stopped to dig for coins, but rallied their frens to do the same... 5. aunties and uncles who showed genuine interest in the project and wishing the YEPpers well too... ----Stef stopped rambling at 00:48 --Link to Post |
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